In Loving Memory of
Evette Shaw
A devoted wife to Ivor, a proud mum to six boys – Daniel, Andre, Ben, Myles, Harvey and Zac, and a loving “Marmar” to 15 grandchildren, her world was built around her family. And she gave everything to it.
She was the rock of the family – steady, strong and always there. The one everyone leaned on. The same was true in business too. At GCW on Freeman Street, she wasn’t just part of it, she was its heart for decades. A constant presence who helped build the foundations of the family business.
Evette had a way about her that people never forgot. She was kind and genuinely lovely, with a big warm smile that put people at ease instantly. Always glamorous, always carrying herself with quiet confidence, but never anything other than down to earth.
She lived by strong morals and values, and more importantly, she passed those on. They live on through her sons, in how they think, how they treat people, and how they carry themselves in the world.
If you speak to anyone who knew her, you’ll hear the same thing again and again – “she was just so lovely.” And she really was.
She built relationships that went far beyond business. Customers became friends, and friends became family. People didn’t just come into the shop, they came in to see Evette.
Her passing has left an enormous hole in the hearts of everyone who loved and knew her. But what she created in her family, her friendships and her life doesn’t just disappear. It carries on in those who loved her.
This is a space to celebrate her life, to share memories and to keep her spirit alive.
If Evette touched your life in any way, however big or small, we’d love for you to share it here – a story, a moment or just a few words.
Add your tribute and your favourite photo of Evette below.
Evette, My Love – 48 Years Together
I loved you more deeply than words will ever manage to say. You never did anything by halves, and neither did I when it came to loving you. Everything in your life, everything in our life, you met with wholehearted dedication, and I loved you for it, every single day.
You were by my side in our business through it all. Every early morning, every late night, every risk, every win, you were there. You were my partner, my steady hand, and my inspiration to succeed. I couldn’t have done it without you, and I wouldn’t have wanted to.
When life asked the most of you, you stood taller. You kept fighting, never with anger, always with determination and love. Watching you showed me what real strength looks like, and it made me love you even more. I’ll never forget it. It still inspires me.
You never had to tell me that strength doesn’t need to be loud. You lived it, and I saw it in your quiet persistence, in the way you’d reassure me with just a look. I loved how you showed up every single day for me, for our family, for everyone you loved. Loving you was the easiest, most natural thing I’ve ever done.
Your love and kindness didn’t stop with me. It’s in our sons, our grandchildren, our daughters-in-law, your family, your friends. I hear your laughter in our home, and it breaks my heart in the best way, because I loved that sound so much. I feel your wisdom when I don’t know what to do. I carry your strength with me, and above all, I carry your love, and mine for you.
The space without you is vast, Evette. But what you left inside us is even bigger: the love you gave, the strength you showed, the example you set for all of us.
You can rest now, my love. You are part of me, part of us, in everything we do. I promise we’ll keep your memory alive, in our homes, in our hearts, in the way we live.
I loved you then, I love you now, and I’ll love you always. I’ll never forget you, Evette.
Not for a single day.
Ivor xx
My Mum would always carry an aura of warmth, love, and kindness.
Growing up I never truly appreciated her work ethic and care for us, but it amazes me more when I think back. By the time I’d woken up she’d already been to the supermarket, she’d drop me at school for 8:30am, pick me up at 3pm, and have food ready for 5:15pm just in time for everybody when they get home from work. Oh, and I didn’t mention… she would also work a full day selling carpets in between all of this. I don’t know how she had the time or energy to do this. But she was fuelled by love for her children.
She brought me into the world as my Mum, but she definitely left it as my best friend. We shared so many amazing memories together; going to New York together twice for Black Friday stands out. She loved New York so to share those memories together is something I’ll take with me forever. She definitely passed on her love for designer bags to me!
The most special memory might have been seeing her in Paris in 2024 where she spent two weeks to come watch me at the Paralympics. Becoming a Paralympian meant the world to me, but it meant the universe to her. I was never racing for me. I was racing for us.
Whenever I meet somebody that has met my Mum they will tell me a story about her. The story is usually followed by an item my Mum has given them. She was so kind. If somebody said they liked her scarf, she’d wrap it up and give it to them as a present the next day. That’s just who she was, full of generosity.
A day doesn’t go by where I don’t think about her. I think about the daily phone calls we’d have. I think about going home and laying on her bed with her to say goodnight. I think about going downstairs in the morning and she’d already have a cooked breakfast and a cup of tea sat on the table waiting for me.
As much as I’m filled with sadness and emptiness she isn’t here with us anymore, I’m so lucky I got to spend 29 years with her as my best friend. I was lucky to spend time with her that others never got to. The biggest compliment I can ever get is somebody telling me I’m like my Mum.
Her legacy lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and the memories we will all cherish.
I love you Mum. You weren’t one in a million, you were one in 8 billion. We will miss you forever.
Zaccy xxx
Wrapped in love, that’s how I always felt in my mum’s presence.
Kindness in abundance, strength beyond possibility. A strength passed on to six boys who have had to use that strength to cope with the loss of our queen.
It felt like we had a slightly tighter bond when I was younger, my eye operations and regular tests meant we had our own time togther just me and her. She protected me from being picked on at school, from being falsely accused of stealing, from being nearly arrested abroad. My protector.
I hope I gave my mum joy in giving her the first wedding, the first grandson and first granddaughter. The call to tell her she was having a girl in the family was enough to make her drop the phone and cry.
Working togther gave me plenty of time to wind my mum up daily but it always ended with a hug and kiss. She always made less profit to help people, she taught us to look after people as much as you can. It was her only setting.
I should have given my mum more of my time, I hope she knew how much I loved her even if I wasn’t always there.
On her 60th birthday I had the following tattoo “mum, you held my hand for a short time, but will hold my heart forever”.
My mum also told me “a man with no compassion has no soul”…
Once she told me what her favourite song as a teenager was and it went a little something like this…
🎵A goddess on a mountain top,
Was burning like a silver flame,
The summit of beauty and love,
And EVETTE was her name. 🎵
She really did reach the summit of beauty and love ❤️
My picture below… a girl full of hopes and dreams, the woman she became.
Forever your Onny xxx
My beautiful mum ❤️
I have been so fortunate to have had this incredible woman as my mum for 40 years.
My mum gave me so much love, kindness, and generosity. She taught me how to do the “right thing” and instilled in me the best lessons from a young age.
I wasn’t the best behaved child…. I was always playing up in some sort of way, but my mum worked hard to guide me and shape me into who I am today.
Although my mum isn’t physically with us anymore, I truly feel like a part of her lives on within me.
When I need to make a decision or have a question, I feel as though I know exactly what she would say, and how she would feel about it.
Someone once told me that when you lose your mum, you lose the person who loves you more than anyone else ever could. I really do believe that. I believe my mum loved me and my five brothers as much as anyone could ever love a child. Nothing else came close to that love, nothing.
My mum loved her 6 boys immensely.
That same person also told me that in time, losing your mum can give you a level of drive and motivation you’ve never felt before. I can definitely feel a new energy forming within myself, a growing determination to keep pushing forward, inspired by my mum.
I loved my mum. I still love her, and I always will. I will always miss her, and I will always carry her with me.
I will do everything I can to make sure she is remembered, thought of, seen, and spoken about for the rest of my life.
Mum, you truly were the best mum, the best mother-in-law to my wife, and the best marmar to my kids. You were the best I could have ever wished for.
I’ll keep pushing on, just like you would want me to.
All my love, forever….
Myles xxxx
It’s hard to find words to describe a truly wonderful woman.
From meeting you at the legendary Henage Road house where we used to pretty much call our 2nd home on weekends to working with you, Harv and the boys. Always approached everything with grace, elegance and happiness which was the person you was. The phrase “our home is their home” never rang truer, even if we did stay awake till 4 making noise in the bungalow it was never a problem!
Always had the time of day for a chat and always put everyone else before yourself.
It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later.
Truly one of the good people you come across in life who’s raised some fantastic men who live on through you.
Evette you were a ray of sunshine who lit up any room you entered.
The most glamorous lady I knew, beautiful inside & out.
I can still hear that infectious laugh of yours & miss your face times with mum. Hearing you both giggle like little kids, mostly in a shop (tk being one of your favourites).
I loved listening to Mums stories of what you’d both been up to.
Today we raise a glass to you & hold you in our hearts forever xx 💖
Just over one year ago. Last time holding her kind and gentle hand. Forever grateful for having the best mar mar anyone could ask for.
Lots of love from Bo Bo ❤️❤️❤️
Such a truly beautiful soul inside & out with a radiant smile always ✨️ 💛
I only knew her for a short time, but I will always remember her by her beautiful smile and kindness …she always made time to have a little chat ❤️
I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Evette.
She was a beautiful person showing unprecedented kindness, a genuine compassion for others and love.
As a little girl, I looked up to her, always modest and elegant at prays, she radiated warmth to everyone she met.
My sincere condolences to all the family. I wish you all a long life.
Rest in peace you wonderful lady.
Lovely billboard to a lovely lady.
I didn’t know your mum but sadly my car broke down and I’m unable to get a new one just now so I am using the bus for work and saw the billboard at the end of Freeman street, her lovely smile and the leopard print caught my eye and I saw the .org on the bottom so came on to have a look. What a beautiful way to share this wonderful ladies life and the memories she has left behind.
She’s put a smile on my face this morning so thank you Evette from a Grimsby mum and love to the family xx
From working in the shop together, to being able to call her a friend. Evette was a very special lady, someone who would always give the best advice and I gave it in the best way possible, always wanting the best outcome for you.
It was a pleasure to share so many days and conversations over the years, whether it was serious or having a joke, she was great to be around.
The love she had for her family was amazing & I always felt like she treat me as one of her own.
I’ll always be very grateful to have been a friend to Evette, a very classy & amazing woman.
Truly missed by everyone.
Peter x
Evette was a very special woman, I had the joys of working with her for a number of years at the old and new GCW. Took me under her wing and treat me like one of her own. Even after I moved jobs and still popped in to visit the shop she welcomed me like I’d never left, a truly beautiful woman inside and out.
Thankyou Evette 💙
Ash xx
I met Evette at ante natal classes with our first born babies. We were side by side with our next 2 babies. We lived around the corner from one another and enjoyed those early years with our little one’s. I then had my 4th child as Evette had her 6th! We lost touch with moving homes, but it was always like yesterday if we bumped into each other! Such a warm kindhearted person! With the biggest smile! I treasure my early memories of this truly gorgeous woman! 🥰💚
Lovely lady who couldn’t do enough for people ❤️
Thank you for raising the person I love and for welcoming me into your family with such warmth 22 years ago. Your kindness and strength will always be part of our lives. Truly one of a kind. I will cherish so many happy memories and will always think of you when I see green or a hint of leopard print x
The best grandparent I could ever ask for, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you forever mar mar
Evette was a lovely lady, she knew my famil at Fred Fisheries on Freemo market